Read Jack Serle's latest HSJi Review, which discusses how diagnostic performance in England is struggling with demand outstripping supply, even with the NHS’s laudable increases in capacity over the past five years. Read the full article here.

Latest Investigations

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust
           
Patient flow is being impacted by sustained A&E demand, high bed occupancy, and particularly delayed discharges. The trust is increasing theatre and diagnostic capacity, while also planning reductions in both outsourcing and insourcing. However, the trust is currently running behind its financial plan and is struggling to reduce temporary staffing costs. As a result of these pressures, the trust could face cash flow problems later in the year.

AI in the NHS: Areas of adoption and barriers to progress

Adoption of AI tools and services in the NHS is accelerating, but unevenly. Diagnostics is the clinical service most impacted. Ambient voice technology will receive significant attention in 2026-27, with widespread adoption of AI in a range of administrative tasks, such as waiting list validation. Safety and governance are the most significant barriers to adoption.

Collaboration between pharma firms and the NHS: the state of play

Joint working between the NHS and the pharmaceutical industry is widespread. However, the NHS is often nervous about collaboration, fearing additional demands on stretched resources and criticism from those concerned that pharma companies will gain undue influence. Collaboration projects take many forms, but identifying undiagnosed patients and optimising treatment are the most common goals. The NHS usually wants pharma to provide funding, staff, and/or data analysis expertise. The government is focusing on increasing the number of commercial clinical trials carried out in the NHS.

Data points

The following data points were updated this week:

• Emergency care streaming indicator, Type 1 Departments - Major A&E %, Emergency care streaming indicator, Type 3 Departments - Other A&E/Minor Injury Unit, Four hours A&E performance (all patients), 12 hour A&E waits, 12 hour A&E waits (% of total attendances), A&E attendances, % beds occupied by delayed discharges, Discharge delays due to ‘internal’ reasons, Discharge delays due to ‘external’ reasons and Super stranded patients for Acute in November.
   
• Discharge delays due to ‘internal’ reasons and Discharge delays due to ‘external’ reasons for ICS in November.
   
• Number of cases waiting over one year and Proportion of cases waiting over one year % for Acute, community, and specialist in Oct.
   
• CQC Rating for Acute, SP, MH, Com, Amb in Q3 2025-26.
   
• Providers with 'outstanding' leadership and Year-plus waiters for ICS in Q3 2025-26.
   
• Elective patients waiting more than 18 weeks for Acute, Sp in Q3 2025-26.
   
• NHS talking therapies for MH in Q3 2025-26.